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Results at a Glance

• Over 10 million litres of rainwater captured annually

• 6.3kg heavier hot standard carcass weights

• $47 per head additional return

• 20% more air changes per hour than conventional gable sheds

• Morbidity down to 2.43% in sheltered bedded pens

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Client Overview

Rangers Valley is one of Australia's largest long-fed feedlots and one of the country's most recognised premium beef operations. The 40,000-head Glen Innes operation runs long-fed Wagyu and Black Angus programs across nine premium brands, reaching more than 50 markets worldwide. The feedlot was acquired by Stanbroke in October 2025; the Ridgeback® project was delivered under the previous ownership of Marubeni Corporation.

The site sits in a 900mm average rainfall zone, one of the wetter lot-feeding environments in Australia. Moisture permeating the pen floor degraded the gravel base and subgrade layer, producing holes that required gravel, machinery, fuel and labour to repair on a two-year cycle. A shade or netting solution was not viable given the cold, wet winters and mild summers of the New England Tablelands.

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Key Outcomes

The 440 by 30 metre Ridgeback® permanent shelter captures over 10 million litres of rainwater each year. Water that previously ran across the pen floor as contaminated effluent is now collected from the roof, stored, and reused as drinking water for the herd. In a 900mm rainfall zone, that single outcome reshapes both the environmental footprint and the operating cost of the feedlot.

MLA research presented at BeefEx 2024, centred on the Rangers Valley installation, recorded 6.3kg heavier hot standard carcass weights, morbidity of 2.43% in bedded sheltered pens against 4.06% in non-bedded sheltered pens, and an additional $47 per head return. Rangers Valley's Otto Reserve Black Angus label reaches marble scores of MB7+ on a minimum 270-day feed regime, finishing at around 465kg standard carcass weight from a 450kg entry, with average daily gains of around 1.4kg.

Patented Ridgeback® ventilation delivers 20% more air changes per hour than conventional gable sheds, eliminating the ammonia build-up seen in older sheds as bedding ages. Manure removed from under the structure is at consistent dry matter, cutting cartage weight and downstream processing costs. Covering half the pen area gives cattle the choice to move between shelter and open space in any season.